I AM

It seems that when God is about to do a great work, he is silently preparing. God would work the great deliverance of his people from Egypt even when it seemed as if the clouds overhead were their darkest and heaviest. One king died and another succeeded, but the change of government did not bring the relief Israel had hoped. Their bondage appeared the settled policy of the Pharaohs. Centuries had passed without any communication or revelation from the God of their fathers, and it must have seemed hopeless. God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant.

Moses finds himself in a still place, and a strange sight presented itself. There was a bush that was burning, but it was not consumed. Moses goes to investigate, and a greater wonder awaited him. A vision that for centuries had not been seen now appeared and a voice that had been silent for so long spoke. The first words spoken warned Moses to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. The voice identifies himself as the God of his fathers. This God, in the midst of the flames, is a consuming fire that remembers His people. Moses was afraid to look but the Lord tells Moses that he knows of the suffering of his people and that he has come to deliver them.

The Lord directs Moses to go to Pharaoh in order to bring His people out of Egypt. Moses did not exactly jump at the chance to assume the leadership of a nation of slaves. It was an awesome task, and he shrunk from it. A Greater contrast could hardly be conceived than between the Moses of forty years ago and this guy who now pleads to be relieved from this work. Once self-confident and ready to take matters into his own hands, Moses is reluctant to act in any way at all. Perhaps he remembered his failures. God guarantees Moses success. He would bring the people out of Egypt to worship there on Mt. Sinai. Moses' doubt brings the questions of identity. Who am I and who are you? “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”” (Exodus 3:14, ESV)

After answering Moses’ protest of ignorance regarding the divine name and his own struggles, God outlines the entire campaign against Egypt. Moses was to go to the elders of Israel and tell them that God had appeared to him. He was to communicate to them God’s concern for their condition, and his promise to bring them out of Egypt to a wonderful land. The land of promise that had been given to the patriarchs would be renewed through Moses. God assures Moses that the elders would believe him.

Thing To Consider:

Have you ever found yourself communing with God under strange circumstances? If so, what were they?